Stolen Base or Indifference?

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Since we are cleaning out the attic today on rules and scoring ......

Runners on 1st & 3rd ..... runner on 1st steals 2nd. You know the drill, give us the base, or the run.

Is it a stolen base?

* What if there is no throw, just a throw back to the circle, .... ho hum? Is it indifference like in baseball, or do you all give credit for the SB?

* What if there is a snap throw to 3rd? So, there is defense being applied, just not on the base stealer?

* What if there is a snap throw to SS or 2B that is a "plausible" play on the base stealer, but is also really an attempt to catch the runner on 3rd napping with a late jump or far enough off base to get her in a rundown?

In baseball, I believe that it is NEVER a steal unless there is a strong play on the base stealer. But in baseball the base paths are such that you can make that play and still come back home for a play on the runner on 3rd on all but the fasted runners, so "indifference" as a "choice" is more obvious. Softball is a different chess game on the basepaths, and there is an art to getting the runner in from 3rd even in softball when you are facing a strong Catcher, and strong middle infielders with good arms, some savvy experience, and some moxie.

Thoughts on the various examples? Or are they all the same, no play on the base stealer then no SB??

 

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In HS, it could be a FC. Indifference is not mentioned in the NFHS Rulebook

3-2c. because of a fielder’s choice when a fielder attempts to put out another runner but is unsuccessful and the scorekeeper believes the batter-runner would have reached first base even with perfect fielding.
NOTE: Scorekeepers use the term in the following ways:
1) to indicate the advance of the batter-runner who takes one or more bases when the fielder who handles the batted ball plays on a preceding runner;
2) to indicate the advance of a runner, other than by stolen base (F.P.) or error, while a fielder is trying to putout another runner; and
3) to indicate the advance of a runner due to the defensive team’s refusal to play on the runner (F.P., an undefended steal).

Now if there is a play toward 2nd base (past the pitching circle), then I would credit a Stolen Base. A play is being made toward that runner and so she has a realized opportunity at being out. The defense made a play on that runner, its just that they didn't complete it.

 

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Is it a stolen base? My answers with applicable section from ATEC.

* What if there is no throw, just a throw back to the circle, .... ho hum? Is it indifference like in baseball, or do you all give credit for the SB?

Indifference (FC) if due to lopsided score, otherwise SB.

3) In the first and third double steal, credit the runner advancing to second base with a stolen base if no throw is made (unless indifference because of a lopsided score was the cause of no defensive action), even if the advance was made immediately after rounding on a walk,

* What if there is a snap throw to 3rd? So, there is defense being applied, just not on the base stealer?

2) In a first and third double steal credit the runner advancing to second with a fielder's choice if the initial throw is to anywhere but second base.

* What if there is a snap throw to SS or 2B that is a "plausible" play on the base stealer, but is also really an attempt to catch the runner on 3rd napping with a late jump or far enough off base to get her in a rundown?

Fielder's Choice if it wasn't a legitimate attempt at second base.

We have a play where the catcher throws to second base, SS covers the bag and 2B moves up to either cut the throw (if the runner on third breaks) or lets it through to get the runner at second. In this case, I'd give the runner a stolen base if they would have been safe if an attempt had been made (i.e. throw not cut off).